Picture frame

ABSTRACT

An assembly for displaying pictures, photos, posters and the like which can accommodate flat objects of different thicknesses, the assembly includes a frame structure, a plurality of snap ridges or detents fixed to the inner edge surface thereof, a front glass and a backing member adapted to cooperate with said detents to hold the object between the glass and the back member.

nited States Patent 1 Wiener, Jr.

[ Aug. 14, 1973 PICTURE FRAME [76] Inventor: Samuel Wiener, Jr., 451 W.

Broadway, New York, NY. 10012 [22] Filed: July 15, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 162,860

[52] 1.1.8. Cl. 40/156 [51] Int. Cl. G09! 1/12 [58] Field of Search 40/10, 152, 154, 40/156 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 697,872 4/1902 Oldenbusch 40/152 2,663,105 12/1953 Woodbury 40/152 3,579,886 5/1971 Hughes 40/152 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,916,276 10/1970 Germany 40/156 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney-Murray Schaffer [5 7] ABSTRACT An assembly for displaying pictures, photos, posters and the like which can accommodate flat objects of different thicknesses, the assembly includes a frame structure, a plurality of snap ridges or detents fixed to the inner edge surface thereof, a front glass and a backing member adapted to cooperate with said detents to hold the object between the glass and the back member.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIEIJIEU 3.751.838

INVENTOR. SAM WIENER,JR.

BY 1&

ATTORNEY PICTURE FRAME BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to an assembly for displaying flat objects such as pictures, photos and the like and, more particularly, to an assembly which can accommodate flat objects of different thicknesses between a transparent layer and a backing member.

The type of frame which the present invention is directed is generally referred to as a picture frame although objects such as photos, flat needle work, mounted insects, etc. can also be mounted therein.

Various assembly structures for displaying flat objects of varying design have been developed. However, the known structures are either rather elaborate and expensive to make or are simply structures that have no provisions for retaining the object securely in the frame structure except through the use of tabs, nails, screws, and similar fastening means. Moreover, many of the presently available structures are not capable of accommodating objects of varying thickness without damaging the assembly and/or the object. They often require considerably difficult assembly and disassembly operations in order to remove and insert photographs and pictures therein.

Furthermore, the known assemblies fail to provide glass trap between which the object can be securely held in' flat condition.

A glass trap frame is one wherein the object is held between two transparentpieces of material which provide a free border about all four sides of the object, so that the viewer can see through the frame. This type of frame is intended to give the viewer the illusion that no backing at all is being used and that the object is floating free of both wall and frame. In general, however, known glass trap frames require tabs, clips or other fastening devices to hold the two pieces of transparent material together and to secure the object between them. This use of fastening devices spoils the illusion and prevents the establishment of an effective glass trap.

It is an object of this invention to provide a relatively simplified assembly for the display of flat objects which overcomes the above disadvantages.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an assembly for the display of pictures, photos and the like which can accommodate such objects of various thicknessess.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an assembly for the display of flat objects which can be made of a wide variety of materials and by relatively simple manufacturing procedures.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide an assembly for pictures, photos, or the like which provides a glass trap between which the object may be sealed; which glass trap does not have visible fastening means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an assembly for the display of flat objects wherein they can be removed or inserted in the assembly in a relatively simple snap-in and snap-out manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Briefly, an assembly for the display of flat objects such as pictures, photos, and the like in accordance with the invention comprises a frame structure having an inwardly turned peripheral skirt around one edge thereof. A pair of groups of axially aligned detents are located on the inner surface of the frame structure, the detents being at two levels. One of the groups of detents includes detent elements located equi-distant from the skirt and one or more detent elements located at a lesser distance from the skirt than the other detent elements, and the other group of detents includes de tent elements located at a distance from the skirt equal to that of the less distant detent element .of the first group and one or more detent elements located at a distance from the skirt equal to that of the more distant detent elements of the first group. A transparent face member and a backing member is provided. At least the backing member is formed with groups of inwardly cut notches on parts of the edge portion thereof for bypassing the equi-distant detent elements and groups of notches on other edge portions for by-passing the detent elements located a greater or lesser distance from the skirt than the other elements of the group.

, Preferably, the equi-distant detents andthe more and less distant detents are spaced from the skirt of the frame by predefined equal distances respectively so that when the transparent face and the backing member are inserted in the frame'the detents cooperate with the unnotched or straight edge portions of the backing member to tightly hold the glass against the inner surface of the skirt. Thus, when an object such as a picture or photo is placed between the transparent face and the backing member, it is trapped therein.

In a modified form, the backing does not have to have inwardly directed notches but is provided with rabbited or cut down edges on opposite faces and on opposite sides so that the edges may be fit beneaththe respective detents. In this form only one level of .detents is required.

Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a generally rectangular frame structure according to the invention, assembled with a flat object,'the view is partially sectioned to show the disposition of groups of detents thereon;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the backing member for the frame seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is a secional view along lines 3a-3a of FIG. 1 showing the relationship of the frame members when assembled to hold a thin object;

FIG. 3b is a view similar to that of FIG. 3a showing the holding of a thicker object; and

FIGS. 44 and 4b are detailed sectional views showing a modified form of the backing member.

DESCRIPT ION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, the generally rectangular frame structure shown therein comprises side and end members 10, 12, 14 and 16 having an inwardly turned skirt 18 extending along one edge about the entire periphery. This structure has the ability to permit the opposed sides to be bowed outward on application of a small force in the direction of arrows Disposed on the inner surface of the opposed sides and 14 are groups of detents. The detent group located on side 10 includes two spaced short detent members 20 and 22 located at the same distance A from the skirt 18 and a third central detent member 24 located at a lesser distance B from the skirt 18.

Located substantially directly opposite the first detent group is another group of detents on side 14 including a pair of spaced detents 26 and 28 located equidistant (equal to the distance B) from skirt l8 and a central detent element 30 located at a greater distance (equal to distance A) from the skirt than the other detent elements. The detents are split, or separate, and do not extend across the entire length of the side to which they are formed. The detents do not extend the whole length of the side in order to permit the middle of the sides 10 and 14 to be bowed out. At the ends, the distance between sides is fixed, and if the detents went all the way to the ends, it would prevent the front glass and backing member from being inserted or removed from the frame.

The frame assembly is completed by providing a flat transparent face member 32 formed of glass, plastic or similar material and a flat backing member 34, both of which being rigid or at least of very limited flexibility.

The distances A and B are predefined so that the selected detents are located to enable the front face 32 and the backing member 34 to cooperate to securely hold and trap an object p (FIG. 1) between them.

It is to be noted that the two groups of detents are arranged opposite to each other and are vertically right and left hand members. That is, the paired equidistant detents 20 and 22 on frame side 10 are at the same planar distance A from the skirt 18 as is the single detent 30 on frame side 14, while the paired detents 26 and 28 on frame side 14 are likewise at the same planar level B as the singular detent 24 on frame side 10. The opposing edges and surfaces of the detents 20 through 30 and the skirt 18 are all parallel to each other. Detents 20, 22 26 and 28 may be likewise of equal length. These two lengths, however, may be equal to each other or of dissimilar extent as shown in the drawing. The version shown in the drawing wherein the central detents are somewhat longer than the detents to each of its sides has a small advantage in that it permits easy registration of the assembly and also distributes the pressure better than if they were all equal.

As seen in the drawing, the groups of detents are located oppositely to each other on opposite frame sides and within the two groups of detents there is one set of detent elements consisting of detent elements in one group and one or more detent elements in the other group which spaced at one distance from the skirt, and a second set of detent elements spaced at another distance from the skirt. No matter which material is used the structure of the frame retains its resiliency. That is, the small inward skirt 18 permits the sides to be flexed in the outward direction D and D as indicated by the arrows.

The transverse width or depth of the detents 20 to 30 is less than or not greater than the transverse extent of the skirt 18 so that from the front of the frame the detents are hidden by the skirt 18. Preferably, the frame is made of a unitary material so that the detents and skirt blend together. For a glass trap frame the backing member 34 may be glass or other trasparent material.

For a more conventional type frame the backing member may be opaque or may have a color conforming to that of a desired mat or backing surface for the particular object to be framed.

The transparent face need not be provided with notches although it may, if desired. On the other hand, the backing member 34 is provided with notches along its edges corresponding in position and size to the respective detents, spaced th greatest distance from the skirt 18. Thus, as seen in FIG. 2, the backing member 34 will have along one edge (corresponding normally to side 10 of the frame) a pair of spaced notches 36 and 38 conforming to the notches 20 and 22 and along its opposite edge a single notch 40 conforming to detent 30 located on frame side 14. Thus, when the backing member is placed with its double notches edge along side 10, the backing member can pass beyond the detents 20 and 22. and snap below the detent 24 within the level B so that the portion 42 between the two notches 36 and 38 is held between the detent 24 and skirt 18. Similarly, the opposite single notched side would pass beyond the detent 30 and snap into place below the paired detents 26 and 28 also within the level B whereby the wings 44 and 46 are held between them and the skirt 18. g

The ability of the backing member to snap into place beneath the respective detents is not only a function of the notches but is also a function of the ability of the sides 10 and 14 to flex apart on the application of a small outwardly directed force. This resilience of the frame insures the tight and secure fit necessary to form a frame assembly which will hold for an indefinite time.

By merely reversing the backing member 34 so that the double notched edge is placed against frame side 14 the notches pass only below the first level of the detents and the backing member 34 may be caused to snap into place between the two spaced on both frame sides 10 and 14 within the level defined by the large distance A between the skirt l8 and the detents 22 and 24 and 30, respectively. This is seen in FIG. 2b where a thick object p is held between the face 32 and the reversed backing member 34, itself wedged beneath the detents 22 (20). The opposite edge of the backing member would be held between the single detent 30. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3a and 3b, objects such as a photo p of differing thickness can be trapped or sandwiched between the glass and the backing member, without any modification of the frame assembly, but merely by reversing or turning over the backing member 34. A mat board m may also be used if the object p is deemed to need it or warrant it for physical or aesthetic reasons. While the frame comprising sides 10 and 14 and ends 12 and 16 including the peripheral skirt 18 are preferably made of plastic (such as acrylic) which may conveniently be molded to form an integral unitized construction, other materials such as steel, aluminium, wood, etc, may also be used. In any event, the construction should allow or permit the sides of the frame to be flexed or bowed outwardly of each other in a resilient manner. This resilient bowing permits the entry of the glass, the object and backing member sub-assembly between the sides and below the detent groups, providing the snap-in, snap-out characteristic of the frame. Once the sides resume their regular position, the glass, photo and backing member are maintained securely in place.

In the drawings, it has been indicated that the detents are integrally formed on the sides of an integrally formed four sided frame. It will be obvious that the detents can be formed on a portion of a narrow fiat member which can then be adhered or secured to the inner face of an already formed frame. In this way, existing frame structures can be provided with the benefits and advantages of the present invention. Other benefits might be seen in this latter version of the invention in that the same frame can be supplied with detent inserts having varying levels of distances A and B so that it may be used for many more mountings than the integrally formed version.

It will be noted that the sides and ends 10, 12, 14 and 16 have a substantial width. This allows the frame to stand on one end freely without hangers or brackets. On the other hand, suitable hanging brackets can be secured to the backing member 34 or to the edges of the frame as desired. The frame may be used in any position.

In FIGS. 40 and 4b there is shown another embodiment by which different thicness objects can be accommodated. In this embodiment, the assembly is the same as depicted previously except that the backing member 34' is somewhat thicker than previously shown. The member 34 is provided along its notched edges with rabbited or cut down surfaces 50. The rabbited surfaces are provided on opposite sides of the backing member 34' so that its respective edges can lodge beneath the associated detents. by merely reversing its position, the backing member 34' is capable of sandwiching different thickness objects between it and the face front. In this embodiment the inward notching on the backing board is not necessary. on the other hand, if the backing board is both notched and rabbited it is possible to achieve four different thicknesses of picture package through various permutations and combinations of arrangements. FIGS. 3a and 3b also show another embodiment wherein the upper edges of the detents 20 and 22 and 30 are provided with an inclined surface 20' (22) and 30' to facilitate movement of the backing member.

It will thus be obvious from the foregoing, that the present invention provides a simple frame capable of trapping or sandwiching an object between two flat planar members, such as a glass and a backing member. The trapped object will be securely held, free of contaminating dust, moisutre, etc., while providing a clear, free border about all its sides. The assembly of the object between the members is simple requiring only an easy distension of the frame and a snap-in, snap-out action on the backing member. The objects set forth earlier as wellas others, together with numerous advantageshave all be obtained. Various changes and modifications are possible, particularly to the size and shape of the frame. Rectangular shapes are not essential. Accordingly, the present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative only and not limiting thereof.

What is claimed:

1. An assembly for the display of a flat object comprising a frame structure having a peripherally turned skirt around one edge and at least a pair of groups of detents located on the inner surface of said frame structure, one of said groups of detents including first detent elements located an equal distance from said skirt and second detent elements located a lesser distance from said skirt, and the other of said groups of detents including detent elements located at said greater distance from said skirt and detent elements corresponding to said second detent elements located at lesser distance from said skirt, and a backing member having notches on parts of one edge thereof for by-passing the first detent elements and notches on an other edge for bypassing the second detent element to hold an object against said skirt.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein opposite sides of said frame structure are resilient and said detents extend along said sides less than the length thereof.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said groups of detents comprise a pair of short detent elements and along detent element, axially aligned and spaced from each other, the short detent elements of one group and the long detent element of the other group are all equidistant from the skirt of the frame structure.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the pairs of short detent elements are of equal lengths and spaced apart from each other and the relatively long detent elements are of equal length and respectively dispersed between the short elements.

5. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein said backing member is provided with rabbited edges adapted to engage said detents.

6. The assembly according to claim 5 wherein said rabbited edges are formed on opposite edges of said backing member.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the groups of detents are formed separately from said frame and are fixed thereto.

8. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame structure and groups of detents are integrally molded of flexible plastic.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame structure is generally rectangular and thereare two groups of detents dispersed thereon directly oppo site each other.

10. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein a glass is located adjacent to the skirt, a mat is located adjacent to the glass, the backing member is located adjacent to the mat and the picture on display is arranged therebetween.

11. A frame assembly comprising a frame structure having a plurality of sides, a peripheral skirt extending along one edge inwardly thereof, at least one pair of opposite sides having a plurality of detents located along the inner surface of said frame structure, said detents on each side being selectively spaced from said skirt by predefined distances and a substantial flat supporting member, conforming to the frame structure, said opposite sides being flexible so as to be outwardly bowed to permit said supporting member to pass elected ones of said detents and lodge securely between selected other dents and said peripheral skirt.

12. The assembly according to claim 11 including a trasparent front member adapted to cooperate with said supporting member to secure an object therebetween when assembly between said selected other detents and said peripheral skirt.

t! t l t ll 

1. An assembly for the display of a flat object comprising a frame structure having a peripherally turned skirt around one edge and at least a pair of groups of detents located on the inner surface of said frame structure, one of said groups of detents including first detent elements located an equal distance from said skirt and second detent elements located a lesser distance from said skirt, and the other of said groups of detents including detent elements located at said greater distance from said skirt and detent elements corresponding to said second detent elements located at lesser distance from said skirt, and a backing member having notches on parts of one edge thereof for by-passing the first detent elements and notches on an other edge for by-passing the second detent element to hold an object against said skirt.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein opposite sides of said frame structure are resilient and said detents extend along said sides less than the length thereof.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said groups of detents comprise a pair of short detent elements and along detent element, axially aligned and spaced from each other, the short detent elements of one group and the long detent element of the other group are all equi-distant from the skirt of the frame structure.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the pairs of short detent elements are of equal lengths and spaced apart from each other and the relatively long detent elements are of equal length and respectively dispersed between the short elements.
 5. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein said backing member is provided with rabbited edges adapted to engage said detents.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5 wherein said rabbited edges are formed on opposite edges of said backing member.
 7. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the groups of detents are formed separately from said frame and are fixed thereto.
 8. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame structure and groups of detents are integrally molded of flexible plastic.
 9. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame structure is generally rectangular and thereare two groups of detents dispersed thereon directly opposite each other.
 10. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein a glass is located adjacent to the skirt, a mat is located adjacent to the glass, the backing member is located adjacent to the mat and the picture on display is arranged therebetween.
 11. A frame assembly comprising a frame structure having a plurality of sides, a peripheral skirt extending along one edge inwardly thereof, at leAst one pair of opposite sides having a plurality of detents located along the inner surface of said frame structure, said detents on each side being selectively spaced from said skirt by predefined distances and a substantial flat supporting member, conforming to the frame structure, said opposite sides being flexible so as to be outwardly bowed to permit said supporting member to pass elected ones of said detents and lodge securely between selected other dents and said peripheral skirt.
 12. The assembly according to claim 11 including a trasparent front member adapted to cooperate with said supporting member to secure an object therebetween when assembly between said selected other detents and said peripheral skirt. 